Sexual Assault At Holy Festival Denied By Hindu

June 02, 1990|The Morning Call

A Hindu priest pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in Warren County Court yesterday.

Raman Kumar Bachchan, also known as Babaji, 33, a priest of the Ashram Siddhachalam, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact. He allegedly kidnapped a 26-year-old woman and sexually assaulted her in a camp in Blairstown Township on Sept. 30, 1989. The Hindu temple had rented the camp as the site of a holy festival.

Bachchan was indicted May 10 by a Warren County grand jury.

Bachchan's court appearance was delayed yesterday when he and his attorneys were stopped en route to the courthouse by state police for alleged traffic violations.